He didn't need to say it. It's obvious. Monday night was just the latest example.

Midway through the fourth quarter — otherwise known as Dame Time — and down 11 to the Los Angeles Lakers, Lillard took over. It started with an assist to C.J. McCollum. Then a pair of free throws. Then he sank a three-pointer on four consecutive possessions, giving the Blazers a lead they would never relinquish.

He finished the quarter with 19 points and the game with 39. The Blazers, meanwhile, walked away as winners of seven in a row and as the Western Conference's third-place team.

"I've seen a lot of great basketball in my life, but today I was like, 'Wow.' He made it look so easy, effortless," Blazers guard Shabazz Napier said after the win. "I just saw it in his eyes. He wanted the ball every single time, he wanted to take the shot. He definitely willed us today."

But it wasn't just Monday, or during this recent streak, that Lillard's exploits have taken the league by storm. He's been doing this for some time, and though the national recognition hasn't always followed, there's no denying his impact.

5. Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

Lillard is posting per-game averages of 32.6 points (on 46.1% shooting), 6.4 assists and 4.4 rebounds during Portland's seven-game winning streak. Also during this streak: He has an average plus-minus of plus-9.4, has scored a league-high 68 fourth-quarter points and has gone 9-for-17 from beyond the arc during fourth-quarter play — a testament to his status as one of the league's deadliest crunch-time players.

2013: Portland Trail Blazers general manager Neil Olshey poses with point guard Damian Lillard as Lillard was presented with the Western Conference Rookie of the Month award for December. Steve Dykes, USA TODAY Sports

2014: Damian Lillard reacts after making a three-point basket against the Houston Rockets during the second quarter in Game 3 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs. Craig Mitchelldyer, USA TODAY Sports

2014: Damian Lillard yells "Rip City" into the arena PA after hitting the game-winning shot during Game 6 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center. Craig Mitchelldyer, USA TODAY Sports

2015: Damian Lillard reacts after making a three-point basket against the Memphis Grizzlies during the fourth quarter of Game 4 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs. Craig Mitchelldyer, USA TODAY Sports

4. Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors

Durant may never win another MVP so long as he's playing alongside Stephen Curry, but he'll certainly never leave the discussion. Warriors coach Steve Kerr said as much last week following Durant's 32-point outing in Washington.

"He's going to be a top-five guy every single year," Kerr said. "There's a lot of good candidates and some guys having great years, but Kevin is obviously going to be considered every single season. He's that good."

3. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavs, who are 3-4 since the All-Star break, grabbed a much-needed win over Detroit on Monday night. James was his usual self, tallying 31 points (on 11-of-17 shooting), seven assists and seven rebounds. He also went 5-for-7 from beyond the arc — his fourth game this season with five or more three-pointers made.

2. Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans

The Pelicans have won eight in a row, are 10 games over .500 for the first time in Davis' career and sit in fourth place in the West. And while players like Jrue Holiday and Nikola Mirotic have upped their games during this stretch, it's been Davis whose dominance has been at the forefront of the MVP conversation. His per-game averages since New Orleans' last loss? 37.3 points, 14.8 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 2.8 blocks.

1. James Harden, Houston Rockets

We're not sure what's more impressive, the fact that the Rockets are 32-1 in games in which Harden, Chris Paul and Clint Capela have played or that they're riding the second-longest winning streak (15 games) in franchise history. Make no mistake: Despite the best efforts of those listed before him, Harden has a firm grip on the No. 1 spot.